The Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (TAWU) has urged the government to fully enforce the labour and employment Act to curb rampant exploitation of long-distance drivers by their employers.
TAWU’s Mombasa Branch Secretary General, Nicholas Otieno, said many drivers, especially those employed by long-distance bus companies, are being overworked and are denied off-days or overtime compensation, in contravention with Kenyan labour laws.
Speaking in Mombasa during a joint meeting of various workers’ unions, Otieno called on the government to take decisive action against employers who continue to flout workers’ rights, saying many drivers are suffering in silence.
“Our drivers are working for so many hours without rest and are not being paid overtime. This is against the labor laws of Kenya, which stipulate that every employee is entitled to at least one rest day per week,” said Otieno.
He warned that the union may be forced to mobilise members to down their tools if employers fail to address their grievances.
Otieno also appealed to the government to enforce the ‘two-driver per bus’s regulation to ensure that no driver is forced to work long hours on routes along the northern corridor.
“We appeal to the government to fully implement the two-driver per bus regulation, so that no driver works for extended hours transporting passengers from one city to another,” he said.
The union argued that strict enforcement of this rule would not only give drivers adequate rest but also help reduce the number of road accidents linked to driver fatigue.
“If you look at NTSA’s accident reports this year, many lives have been lost including those of drivers, not because of recklessness but due to fatigue and poor working conditions,” Otieno noted.
He further called for a standardised framework for the treatment and welfare of long-distance drivers, aligning Kenya’s policies with those of other East African countries.
“We are appealing to the government to ensure all private transport companies comply with labour laws to create a conducive working environment for drivers,” he added.
TAWU Shop Steward Jackie Okondo welcomed the ongoing dualling of the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway, saying the project will ease traffic congestion and help reduce accidents.
“We fully support the government’s plan to dual the Mombasa–Nairobi highway. We want it done fast to ease the traffic burden on our drivers and minimise road accidents,” Okondo said.
She also urged the government to involve transport sector stakeholders, including the union, to provide advisory input during the construction process.
By Sadik Hassan
